The Music Factor Project’s inaugural event was a success.
The primary goal of providing a unique experience for our students was well met. Jamie Laval and Zac Leger, impressive professional traditional musicians, shared their exceptional talents with kids in four of our schools: Enumclaw High, Enumclaw Middle School, Thunder Mountain Middle School and the Southwood Magic Strings program. This three-day tour culminated in the concert on the evening of Thursday, May 14, where Jamie and Zac were joined in the performance by the TMMS orchestra, Magic Strings and Fiddle Club members, EMS orchestra and the EHS orchestra.
The secondary goal of fundraising saw $3,800 flow in, to be specifically allocated to music education in the four participating schools. While this is shy of our goal, we appreciate the economic climate has affected the ability of many to contribute where they might otherwise have given. This makes recognizing the contributors and supporters even more important.
For financial and in-kind support, the following individuals, businesses and organizations were key to the success of this event:
Arts Alive! Center for the Arts, Enumclaw Courier-Herald, Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce, Enumclaw Self Storage, Enumclaw Rotary Club, Fred Davis and Lauren Hardman, Dr. Nancy Becker, Skynet, Mail Express, Lindon Bookstore, Enumclaw Music, The Rainier Bar and Grill, City Perk, Monkey Rides, Serene Day Spa, Over the Edge and Bruce Pierce.
Individuals volunteered and there were some who deserve special recognition: Laura McBride, Music Factor volunteer coordinator; Taylor Hardman, volunteer and ticket sales contest winner; Dean Bergquist; Lori Lamm; Evan Underbrink; Suzanne Lewis and friends
Local visual artists created works of art out of irreparable violins and cellos and allowed us to auction them off to raise money: Lorrie Maras, Jan White, Elaine Lynest, Nancy Cary, Elayna Einbender, Lori Twiggs and Martha Boston.
Every item sold – the one cello that did not sell in the live auction was purchased at intermission. Thanks to each of you for contributing your talent to the event and helping bridge visual arts and music.
The irrepressible Sheila Shannon emceed the event and brought warmth and humor to our most entertaining little auction.
Student musicians and faculty who performed at the Thursday evening concert are the reason this event happened at all. You are the reason this project was created. Thank you for participating.
I would also like to thank Brenda Sexton, Kevin Hanson and Bill Marcum for the story coverage of this project in The Courier-Herald. I knew it was a community-interest event and we are glad you saw it, too.
To Terry Parker and Mike Nelson, who saw the magic before the rabbit was even pulled from the hat, to Paul Scott who endured endless e-mails while running point for the Enumclaw School District, and to the principals and music teachers and custodians at the four schools: thank you. It has been a privilege bringing this event to our students.
And we could not have had a successful concert without our audience: parents and families of student musicians, music enthusiasts, Mayor Wise, members of City Council, representatives of the Enumclaw School District administration and school board members, Chamber of Commerce, Arts Alive, Rotary, Masons, MRIBA and other business leaders. After dismal pre-sales, our ticket sales at the door were $1,200 and additional funds were collected through donations.
Lastly, and not insignificantly, heartfelt gratitude goes out to Jamie Laval and Zac Leger. This entire project began with e-mail conversations with Jamie about our Magic Strings program and mentoring students. His phenomenal talent, love for traditional music and its history, and devotion to teaching youth inspired this ambitious three-day event. Zac Leger is a gifted and generous musician who enhanced the event in a way that could not have been forseen. Both of these men created an experience for our students that they otherwise would not have had and that I believe they will not soon forget, and that was the primary objective.
A final nod to those listed here and those I did not mention who participated. The Music Factor Project is dedicated to providing arts opportunities and actively seeks to enhance educational experiences for our students. For more information visit www.musicfactor.org.
Celia Bender, founder Music Factor Project
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Amazing. Simply and completely off the charts. The Find a Way! FDK (Full Day Kindergarten), All Children – All Day campaign has generated more enthusiasm, excitement and good will than could have ever been imagined!
Just some of the numbers:
• Over 70 interested staff and community responded to the call for help in organizing our benefit dinner graciously underwritten by White Linen Catering.
• 295 – number of attendees at the event
• two – very poised kindergartners who demonstrated their knowledge to the guests.
• 14 fabulous live auction items raised $15,525.
• 25 luscious desserts brought in $2,800.
• 74 individuals contributed a total of $22,105 that evening.
• three individuals and the city of Black Diamond pledging $5,873.50.
• grand total, including pledges, raised at the May 3 event, totaled $72,603.50.
• 30 – the number of kindergarten scholarships raised providing flexibility to establish one classroom in each elementary school (total of five).
• three – number of teacher jobs saved.
• one – major contributor of $10,000 from the Enumclaw Rotary Foundation.
What a remarkable event and what a tremendous testament to the value of the comprehensive, full-day kindergarten program that has been changing the face of elementary education and instruction in the Enumclaw School District for the last six years.
This positive momentum inspires backers to continue working for grants and contributions, adjusting our immediate goal to $100,000 and setting our sights to the full goal of $500,000 as we truly seek to Find a Way! FDK for All Children – All Day. The powerful message created by our communities adds clout to our efforts soliciting funds from private foundations and Olympia for special support. At this time a sixth classroom is tentatively planned and is half full, but requires another 10 kindergarten fee-based registrations or scholarships.
To caterer Scott Megargle who spearheaded this event, the city of Enumclaw for helping us with the venue at the fieldhouse, our volunteers, auctioneer Loren Wambach, master of ceremonies Bill Jensen, donors of items, desserts, materials, supplies and monetary contributions, a huge “thank you” is extended by all involved.
This was truly a community event where the “village” has stepped up to help “raise” the children and sustain an incredible educational program for the near future.
Nancy Merrill,
acting president
Enumclaw Schools Foundation
